The divisive trend in women’s watches

The bestselling pre-owned timepieces of 2017 were either supersized or super mini.

By Rachael Taylor

When it comes to watches, it seems that women are divided. Are you the type of woman more likely to borrow your boyfriend’s watch, or do you prefer your timepieces small and slender?

These were the two top trends in women’s watches last year, according to pre-owned timepiece seller Collector Square. A quarter of all the men’s watches sold through its site last year were bought by women. While at the other end of the scale, miniature watches like the slim ladies’ Cartier Tank or the Cartier Panthère are enjoying a revival.

Cartier Tank Solo Women's Watch

Yellow gold Cartier Panthere Women's Watch

The most popular men’s watches bought by women through Collector Square to be worn as oversized timepieces, include the Rolex Daytona, Cartier Tank, Patek Philippe Calatrava, Rolex GMT-Master, Rolex Submariner and Hermès Arceau.

“More women than ever are choosing to wear men’s watches,” says Collector Square’s watch expert Clotilde Raffine-Ricard. “Many women think that vintage men’s watches are the perfect size to create a statement, while others wear a masculine watch to balance out feminine outfits or jewellery pieces. Savvy watch collectors often choose men’s watches for investment purposes, as historically the watch models that have appreciated in value the most, such as the Rolex Daytona and Omega Speedmaster, were designed for men. Oversized styles are especially popular among women in Europe.”

Patek Philippe Calatrava Men's Watch

Large Tank Louis Cartier Men's Watch

A 1963 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Men's Watch

For the opposing camp, it is the Hermès Médor, Poiray Ma Mini and Cartier Baignoire that join the Cartier Tank and Cartier Panthère as the most popular miniature women’s watches. “We have observed the comeback of the mini-watch,” confirms Raffine-Ricard. “Women’s watches seem to be scaling down in size with watchmakers and luxury brands producing smaller ladies’ watches. Asian women in particular prefer smaller watch sizes.”